Caroux.

Stunningly beautiful walk on the Caroux today. I didn't hurry, just kept plodding on and was out for almost 7 hours. Phoebe (my dog) is sleeping now. Leaving Mons I walked down through the woods(yellow/red markers) to the gorge (the walk could be started from the gorge car park, but not having a car...). Walk up the gorge to the little footpath bridge that drops down to your right. Keep left and up the steep path on yellow/red markers. Follow this path for 1 hour to the col and then on passed the cairns to reach the junction of footpath signs. Now follow the red markers to your left up to the top of the Caroux. It's another hour on from the col of climbing. (if at this point you have had enough of climbing take the yellow path down to St Martin and continue on to return to the gorge car park, it's not for everyone going up). Once you reach the beech woods you will see a small refuge (hut). Font Salesse. Now turn left and follow the blue markers This lovely trail takes you down across the rocks to a lovely high valley above the rocks of the gorge (you can continue down the blue trail on a tricky route or up onto the rocks that form Cebena's head). Watch out for eagles up here. I saw a couple. wonderful to watch. After crossing the stream go up to the top of the route and turn right. Continue along this beautiful edge enjoying the sublime scenery until you coming to an orange triangle on your left marking a route down from the rocks. Go down here and join the GR7. Turn left and continue on the GR7 Red/white markers down through the beech and chestnut trees of this beautiful old path, crossing little stream. Watch out for the mouflons. I saw herds of the up there and a young one nearly ran into me. Finally cross the little bridge but don't go into Heric unless you fancy some refreshments in the little cafe there. Now keep left and continue down on the gorge road to the bottom. After the car park turn right by the house with railings to return to Mons on the yellow/red route. Very beautiful route.

Circular of Bardou, Heric and Mons.

Gorgeous walk in the mountains up top Bardou and Heric, then back down the gorge, one of my favourites. The walk takes around 4 hours/about 11km. Beautiful views of the ravine and the gorge d'heric. 

Gorge d'Heric and the ravine path to Bardou.

My beautiful walk up the ravine to the col de Bardou, Baou Filiti, point d'Heric, Heric, down the gorge d'heric and back to Mons through the chestnut woods.

The weather was like summer, just so lovely. This is a very easy walk to follow with some uphill sections at the beginning. It's not a difficult walk but takes about 4 hours.

After parking in Mons follow the red/yellow markers up through the village and all the way up the ravine path to the col de Bardou.

There are lovely views all the way along this part of the walk, stop and enjoy the views while you are climbing up the little stoney paths.

When you get to the col, be sure to cross the junction and take the little blue path to the look out at Baou Filiti it's only about 200m off your route and the views down into the gorge d'heric are divine.

Now retrace your steps to the col and take the RG7 red/white down to the gorge by turning left here.

It's a steep path and there are leaves on the path now so be careful if they become wet or deeper. Cross the pont d'Heric and make your way up to the hamlet of Heric where there is a little cafe.

Now follow the little gorge road back down to the gorge car park. Don't go into it but keep on the road until you reach a blue, red/yellow marker turning right. This will take you back through the chestnut woods to Mons.

Mons, Bardou, Heric, Gorge de Heric .A walk in the Languedoc.

Mons, Bardou, Heric, Gorge de Heric. 11km/4h Medium distance and no really difficulties. Take the yellow/red lined trail from the village of Mons up a fairly steep track for about 5km .

The trail has beautiful views of the Jaur valley, ravine and Espinouse. It goes through mainly oak and chestnut forest. Watch out for mouflon here, I didn't see any today but did see a beautiful large deer near the river. 

There are also woodpeckers up here and red squirrel. Ignore all yellow, blue or red dotted trails that leave it from the left or right (the trail does level off a little as you get near to the col du Bardou. You now reach the GR7 at a junction of paths (If you want to have a picnic go up the blue trail here for about 100m, it's a beautiful spot overlooking the gorge and is my idea of heaven).

Take a right onto the GR red/white markers, this trail is steep for about 1.5km and takes you down to a little bridge over the river. Once over the river the trail climbs up to the hamlet of Heric and passes some lovely pools on the way. These are a good place for another rest or go on to the Buvette in Heric for refreshments.

Leave the GR in Heric and take the gorge road down through the beautiful Gorge de Heric for about 5km. There are waterfalls and pretty beaches along this route with magnificent scenery too. In the river I spotted quite a few dippers and slender wagtails in the water. Lots of information boards too.

Once out of the gorge follow the road a little way and you will see some railing beside a house on your left. Follow the yellow/red markers back to Mons though the pretty wooded path, lined by old stone walls.

Caroux walk from Mons.

A walk from the gorge d'heric up to the Refuge de Font Salesse and back via Heric to the car park. Start in the Car park. Allow 6 hours. Grade D. 13km. Go up to the pont des soupirs (the small foot bridge when you first come into the gorge). Cross and take the footpath to the left. Its a steep path and requires effort and caution. This path has red/yellow and yellow markers. At the col de Bartouyre you pass through some cool woods before coming out on to a view point. After one switch back you come to a junction. (The yellow path goes down to your right, the yellow/red to the right too). Take the red spotted trail to the left . This continues to wind up over the rocky mountainside until you reach a small beach wood at the top. Here you will find the Refuge de Font Salesse, a small hut for protection in bad weather. There is a picnic area under the trees here go to the left of the hut and keep following the red/white or yellow markers until you come to a junction of paths. leave the main path turning left and follow the occasional orange triangle until you see some rocks and a small path leading down to the GR7. Turn left onto the GR7 red/white markers, follow the path down through the woods to Heric( this path becomes a little broken and difficult near Heric). Before the hamlet take the main track down the gorge back to the car park. Its a long way down.